The effort is focused on cleaning up toxic chemicals, known as PCBs, left behind from several paper mills.

The EPA wants to consolidate the material and cap it so water cannot get in.

But Kalamazoo City Commissioner Donald Cooney says city leaders and residents want to see the waste hauled away.

“We do not want those PCBs leaking into our aquifers,” Cooney said, “They’re telling us ‘oh no well we’ll put a top on it, it’ll be fine.’ We’re saying wait a minute, even if it were fine for a couple years, what happens down the line?”

The EPA did not have anyone immediately available to speak about the options considered.